From what I can see, part of the marketing of Green is that it is "safe".  That's probably true for most any new technology.  Perhaps it is unique in this case because many who particularly go for Green are the more conscientious, meaning a good number of watchdog types have been the direct target of the "Green is Good" marketing campaigns.  

For instance, I have interacted a bit with some biodiesel producers, and have had to patiently discuss how flammable liquid is still flammable liquid when it is involved in biodiesel production, and exothermic reactions are still exothermic reactions in a biodiesel setting.  The hazards don't know they've been tagged with a Green label.

At any rate, the first challenge is to break the syllogism "Green = Safe = don't worry about it".

My opinions, not necessarily that of my employer, etc. etc.

-Nick

-----Original Message-----
From: SAFETY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dave Barber
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 7:00 AM
To: <a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0912C%26L%3DSAFETY%26E%3Dbase64%26P%3D103437%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dutf-8" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>
Subject: Re: [SAFETY] Safety of Green Technologies

Yes Sir, I agree on the technologies you've mentioned, but other processes
such as biofuels have not been extensively reviewed and there are many
'backyard' chemists springing up because of the potential cost savings
over conventional fuels - so, instead of having industrial processes in
industrial areas, we have one in a neighborhood.

Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill MacDermott" <<a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0912C%26L%3DSAFETY%26E%3Dbase64%26P%3D103437%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dutf-8" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>>
To: <<a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0912C%26L%3DSAFETY%26E%3Dbase64%26P%3D103437%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dutf-8" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>>
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 8:23 PM
Subject: Re: [SAFETY] Safety of Green Technologies


Dave,

I will take a stab at starting a conversation on this...

I think that the “Green Technologies” are just as safe as our regular
technologies, provided that they are properly locked out and/or tagged out,
provided the employees working with any chemicals involved are properly
trained and working safely with the chemicals while wearing proper PPE.

For example, a solar panel installer needs a safe ladder to climb, proper
fall protection, gloves to protect from potential sharp edges on the panels
or their aluminum frames, and the appropriate electrical training for the
any electrical work they will be doing, including Arc-Flash training if
appropriate.

A crew assembling a wind turbine on a tall tower will need a properly
maintained and inspected crane of the right size and height. They will need
properly sized & inspected lifting bridles and trained staff who can signal
the crane operator safely. Anyone on the tower will need proper fall
protection and training, and the electrical crew will need to be trained
appropriately for their tasks & duties.

Many fuel cells are being designed to run on hydrogen or methane, both of
which are flammable gasses, with their own set of safety issues.

Lithium Ion batteries have a history of catching fire and exploding, which
is why their transport on airplanes is currently subject to restriction.
This fire potential does not bode well for their use in hybrid vehicles
where 10 or more gallons of gasoline can be expected to be available in a
fire or accident situation.

First Solar, the solar company in Toledo, Ohio makes their panels of a
cadmium compound. I am sure they have a cadmium safety and employee blood
level monitoring program there.

There are solar thermal plants that are being built in the California
desert, that use molten salt as a heat transfer liquid. I believe that salt
is molten at a temperature some 600 degrees. Having a thermal safety plan at
that kind of facility would probably be a good idea.

I hope this has been of some help...

Bill MacDermott

--- On Wed, 12/16/09, Dave Barber <<a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0912C%26L%3DSAFETY%26E%3Dbase64%26P%3D103437%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dutf-8" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>> wrote:


From: Dave Barber <<a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0912C%26L%3DSAFETY%26E%3Dbase64%26P%3D103437%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dutf-8" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>>
Subject: [SAFETY] Safety of Green Technologies
To: <a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0912C%26L%3DSAFETY%26E%3Dbase64%26P%3D103437%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dutf-8" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 10:23 AM


Hey Group,
Happy Holidays! I wanted to ask how many of the group
have looked at the safety of Green Technologies?

Dave

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